Search Archives

Off On The Wrong Foot

Much has been made of the Bucs shipping out loud-music-playing, stabbing-victim wide receiver Mike Williams to the Buffalo Bills.

As Joe pointed out yesterday, it’s a dangerous precedent to trade players before they have even been suspended much less charged with serious crimes, especially when Williams had a Bucs teammate who has been charged with a much more serious offense this year, once that could have actually put people’s lives in danger.

So now Williams is in Buffalo. And he apparently didn’t win over the locals in his initial press conference in western New York. Columnists Bucky Gleason and Jerry Sullivan blast Williams for being less than forthcoming in this Buffalo News video.

There is no “precedent”. Lovie has the right to keep players who fit and to boot those who don’t. He doesn’t have to wait for convictions and he doesn’t have to explain it to the media or the fans. He’s here to win and it’s obvious he believes the long term chances of that are higher by replacing Williams. Whether or not people outside One Buc understand it is moot. Period.

I agree with them that’s it’s probably a bad idea for him to come back home to Buffalo. Too many friends and family nearby, for a guy who doesn’t need more friends and family nearby. Playing in your hometown takes a very mature individual in most cases, and no matter what you think of Mike Williams, don’t think anyone would ever associate his name and the word “mature”. He would need a very strong locker room, similar to what Talib got in New England. His talent is there, but it’s between the ears for him. Even though I agreed with the decision to get rid of him, I wish him well in Buffalo, but I’m very skeptical of him having success there.